Reserve Airmen test mobilization at Lackland

  • Published
  • By Lilly Flores-Janecek
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  With the start of the Air Force "Push-Pull 2007" exercise here June 18, some 320 Individual Ready Reserve Airmen from across the country have been called to active duty. 

A push-pull exercise, typically conducted every two years, tests the mobilization process and evaluates the skill level of the participants.

"This is a call-up under Title 10 U.S.C. 12301 (b)," said Chris Sharp, the chief of readiness and plans here who is serving as the point of contact for the push-pull exercise. "We will bring them in and activate them into the Air Force."

IRR Airmen have had training, served on active duty or as part of the Selected Reserve and still have some period of military service obligation remaining. These Airmen do not perform regularly scheduled training and will return to their former Reserve status after the exercise is complete.

The two-phase exercise began with the "push" here at Lackland. This involves the processing of the IRR Airmen, similar to what basic trainees do each week, although these reservists have been pre-trained.  This phase runs through June 22.

They are being checked for skill and medical qualifications. They also go through uniform issue and records review and other tasks necessary to re-enter the active force. All but about 100 of the IRR Airmen will be sent home after this phase.

The remaining IRR Airmen will take part in the second phase, June 23-29, which is called the "pull." They will stay at Lackland or go to Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., or Sheppard AFB, Texas, where they will be evaluated on their Air Force Specialty Code skill levels and be assigned to units at those bases for the duration of the exercise.

IRR Airmen participating in the exercise will receive active-duty pay and allowances commensurate with their grade and years of service.

Airmen required to participate in the push-pull exercise are protected by law from any repercussions by their civilian employers. 

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